Podcasts about AM Best

Senior Associate Editor Dave Pilla discusses AM Best's 2026 rankings that show California still leading the nation in private passenger auto direct premiums written, followed by Texas, Florida, New York and Georgia.

NAIC's new principles-based bond definition went into full effect in 2025, according to a new Best's Special Report discussed by Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best.

Once you have learned the fundamentals of Infinite Banking and decided to put it into action, one question tends to surface almost immediately: What is the best whole life insurance company for Infinite Banking? It is a good question. The carrier you choose forms a long-term relationship, one that stays in place for the rest of your life if you keep the policy in force. https://youtu.be/QzNg3h_7tcI So let's be upfront: this article will not hand you a ranked list of the best dividend paying whole life insurance companies by name. Public comparisons between named carriers are riddled with the bias of whoever is doing the comparing, and ranking companies without knowing what you are trying to accomplish is the wrong way to do it. What you will get instead is more durable than any ranked list: the criteria to evaluate any carrier with confidence, on your own terms. Table of ContentsWhy the Whole Life Insurance Company You Choose Matters for Infinite BankingHow to Choose a Whole Life Insurance Company: The Criteria That Actually MatterCriterion 1: It Must Be a Mutual CompanyCriterion 2: Dividend History, Not Today's Dividend RateCriterion 3: Financial Strength Ratings, Used CorrectlyCriterion 4: Ease of Doing Business and Alignment With Infinite BankingThe Right Way to Compare Whole Life Insurance CompaniesWhy Working With an Infinite Banking Practitioner Changes the DecisionChoosing the Right Company Is About Fit, Not RankingsFrequently Asked QuestionsHow do I choose the best whole life insurance company for Infinite Banking?What makes a whole life insurance company good for cash value?Why doesn't The Money Advantage rank specific whole life insurance companies?Does the company have to be a mutual company?Is a mutual holding company a bad sign?Should I pick the company with the highest dividend rate?How important are financial ratings when choosing a carrier?What is the right way to compare whole life insurance companies?Does the company matter more than my own behavior? Key takeaways: This is a decades-long relationship, not a one-time purchase Look past surface numbers like illustration projections and ratings alone Four criteria matter most: mutual structure, dividend history, ratings used correctly, and ease of doing business, plus alignment Compare carriers by stress testing them, not racing their illustrations A knowledgeable practitioner adds real value on top of these criteria Why the Whole Life Insurance Company You Choose Matters for Infinite Banking With term insurance, the company mainly needs to be solvent enough to pay a claim someday. Whole life insurance built for Infinite Banking is different. You are storing capital and using the cash value throughout your life. The death benefit may not be paid for decades. If the insured survives to the policy's contractual maturity age (often age 120 or 121), the policy endows, and the value is paid to the owner. That makes this one of the most consequential financial choices you will make. It is easy to judge a company by what is easiest to see: a bigger illustration number, a higher rating than the next carrier on the list. But those numbers are effects, not causes. They are the visible result of internal factors most people never think to check. It is a bit like judging character by appearance. You are only seeing half the picture. What actually matters is whether a company can weather economic cycles and stretches of low interest rates across the entire span of your policy, not whether it looks strong today or even over the next ten years. One more thing worth sitting with: among solid, well-established mutual carriers, the differences that matter to your outcome are often smaller than people assume. Your own behavior, how consistently you fund the policy, and how you use it, tends to shape your results more than which specific company issued the contract. How to Choose a Whole Life Insurance Company: The Criteria That Actually Matter Here is how to evaluate the internal qualities that drive long-term performance. Criterion 1: It Must Be a Mutual Company This filter is non-negotiable. A mutual company, or a mutual holding company, is owned by its policyholders. When it performs well, profits are distributed back through dividends. A stock company works differently: its primary beneficiaries are stockholders, and sharing in that upside would mean owning the stock itself, not just holding a policy. For Infinite Banking, you want to be an owner. Dividends grow your cash value beyond the guaranteed rate and fund paid-up additions, which pushes the death benefit further ahead of the cash value. Because the two are designed to meet around age 120 or 121, dividends are built to compound larger over time. Do not let the word "holding" throw you off. The nuance between a mutual company and a mutual holding company matters less than you would think. What is worth knowing here is why a mutual converts in the first place. It is usually about raising capital, sometimes under regulatory pressure, but often simply to fund better systems through a merger. The better question is not whether a company converted, but why. Criterion 2: Dividend History, Not Today's Dividend Rate Resist comparing two illustrations and picking whichever shows the higher declared rate. Rates shift year to year, and the same stated rate does not mean the same thing at two companies, since how a dividend is credited to your policy is proprietary information that varies by carrier. What deserves your attention is the track record. Has the company paid dividends with discipline through the Great Recession and other hard times? The large, established mutuals in this space have paid dividends for well over 125 years, and many have never missed a payment. Resist chasing whichever company posted the single highest dividend in its history, too. A one-year spike can be propped up by other business lines entirely unrelated to your policy. What you want is stability: a company that avoids wild swings in either direction, a sign of disciplined management built to sustain performance long term. A quick aside on bonds, since this trips people up. When interest rates rise, the market value of existing long-dated bonds falls. That is real, but only if those bonds are sold. A well-run insurer simply keeps collecting the yield and lets them mature at par. Insurers manage across a hundred-year horizon, not daily headlines, which is exactly the consistency you are trying to identify. Criterion 3: Financial Strength Ratings, Used Correctly Agencies like AM Best, Fitch, and Moody's, along with composite scores like Comdex, offer an objective read on financial strength. As a rule of thumb, look for carriers in the top ten of these systems, ideally the top five. Do not stop at the letter grade. Look at the trajectory. Is the company's capital-to-asset ratio strong and improving? That signals its ability to weather economic turmoil across the full life of your policy, not just hold up well in calm markets. Criterion 4: Ease of Doing Business and Alignment With Infinite Banking This is the most overlooked criterion. A carrier can have excellent ratings and an attractive illustration and still be difficult to work with. Every insurer must allow policy loans by law, but not every insurer makes that process easy. A company with more of an accumulation mindset may be slower to process loans, harder to reach, or saddled with a clunky portal. Some carriers publish service metrics, like the percentage of calls answered within a set time, and those are worth checking. Alongside ease of doing business sits philosophical alignment. Does this carrier actively support the Infinite Banking community, or merely tolerate it? Carriers vary a lot on paid-up additions flexibility: how much you can skip in a given year, and how much you can catch up later if life gets in the way. That flexibility is worth understanding before you commit to a design. The Right Way to Compare Whole Life Insurance Companies It is tempting to pull up two illustrations and pick whichever shows the bigger number. Resist it, since chasing the higher dividend rate this way tends to mislead more than it helps. The one certainty about any illustration is that it will end up being wrong. The non-guaranteed portion extrapolates today's dividend rate forward as if it will never change. It will change. The guaranteed portion shows what would happen with zero dividends ever paid, which is not realistic for a carrier with a century-plus history of paying them. Neither column is where you will actually land. A better approach is to stress test the policy instead. What happens if dividends drop for a few years? If you miss a premium? If you skip paid-up additions for two or three years and then resume? These "life happens" questions reveal more about how a policy will perform for you than any projected number ever could, and notice how much of this still comes back to your own behavior. Why Working With an Infinite Banking Practitioner Changes the Decision Everything above is something you can evaluate on your own. That is the point. But there is real value in working alongside someone who knows this terrain well. A knowledgeable practitioner typically works with a modest number of carriers, often four to six, understanding a handful deeply rather than spreading thin. That depth matters because the nuances between carriers are hard to master at scale. A good practitioner also tends to have real relationships within these companies, which can occasionally open doors that would otherwise stay closed. The goal is not just picking a company. It is matching the right company, policy design, and professional guidance to your situation. Choosing the Right Company Is About Fit, Not Rankings ...

BestWire Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill reviews AM Best's latest rankings of the nation's largest pet insurers, highlighting strong premium growth, rising competition among the market leaders, and continued expansion of the fast-growing pet insurance sector.

The U.S. personal lines segment's underwriting profit almost quadrupled to more than $45 billion, and the commercial lines segment 's profit more than doubled to over $19 billion in 2025, according to Best's Special Report discussed by David Blades, associate director, and Christopher Graham, senior industry research analyst, both of AM Best.

A new Best's Special Report discussed by Wai Tang, senior director, AM Best, finds that no AM Best rated companies became impaired in 2025.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill details her BestWire reporting showing Progressive strengthened its position as the nation's largest auto insurer in AM Best's latest rankings, increasing its market share while pulling further ahead of State Farm.

Net income grew during the first three months of 2026, according to a new Best's Special Report discussed by Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best.

AM Best's Ann Modica and James Creedy-Smith examine the latest moves by the European Central Bank and Federal Reserve, discussing inflation risks, potential rate hikes, and what investors should watch in the months ahead.

Phillip Budden, MIT Sloan School of Management, discusses how tailored leadership programs, aligned with AM Best's approach to assessing innovation, help insurers harness AI, digital transformation and growth mindset strategies.

Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, AM Best, outlines a new Best's Special Report that finds P/C insurers make record returns while health and life/annuity segments are challenged.

Edin Imsirovic, director, and Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, both of AM Best, discuss the results of a recent AM Best survey that evaluates the industry's position on strategy and implementation of artificial intelligence.

If you've ever hesitated on an annuity because you weren't sure the insurance company would actually pay, you're not alone. Recent academic research found that consumers expect to receive only about 82 cents on the dollar from an annuity contract. Roughly 89% of people price in some chance that the insurer simply stops paying. The actual data tells a very different story. A 47-year study from AM Best shows zero impairments among carriers rated A or higher in 2024, and an average annual impairment rate of just 0.24% for A- and A-rated companies across the full study period. There is no evidence of a rated insurer failing to pay an annuity benefit it had guaranteed. That gap between perception and reality has real consequences. The same research estimates that if consumers understood how reliably annuity benefits get paid, ownership would roughly quadruple. People are leaving guaranteed lifetime income on the table because of a risk that almost never materializes. A lot of this pessimism likely comes from experience with home, auto, and health insurance, which operate under completely different rules. Life insurance and annuities are not zero-sum risk pools where someone has to lose for someone else to win. They are built on long-horizon investment management inside the insurer's general account, and the industry has been doing this successfully for over a century. We also walk through the state guaranty system that backstops annuities up to at least $250,000 in every state, which most consumers do not even know exists. Awareness of this safety net is so low that it does not influence purchasing behavior, even among more sophisticated investors. ____________________________________ If you are five to ten years from retirement, or already retired and tired of managing market risk yourself, it is worth considering what guaranteed income could do for you with an open mind. The product landscape today is not what most people think it is. Schedule a call or message us, and we can walk through whether it makes sense for your situation. To read more about annuity default risk visit our article, Annuity Default Risk: Why Consumers Fear Almost Never Happens

AM Best expects the profitability of London Market companies to moderate over 2026 but remain positive, subject to normal catastrophe experience in the remainder of the year, according to a recent Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Kanika Thukral, associate director, analytics, AM Best.

Joseph Roethel, director, AM Best, discusses two Best's Special Reports that found no catastrophe-driven P/C impairments following three years of elevated storm losses, while recent health impairments include a number of troubled affiliates.

Ben Diaz-Clegg, associate director, analytics, AM Best, discusses a Best's Special Report that finds the stability of macroeconomic conditions through 2024 and 2025, in addition to generally robust levels of profitability in many segments, underpinned the strengthening of key balance sheet strength fundamentals.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Special Report that finds muted insured catastrophe losses during the second half of 2025 significantly benefitted net underwriting income for the year.

Kate Steffanelli, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Market Segment Report that finds the US annuity market delivered another strong performance that continued into 2025, aided by retirement product demand, favorable rates and product innovation.

A new Best's Market Segment Report finds improved P/C underwriting and pricing, combined with moderate catastrophe losses, anchor strong 2025 results, with investment income a key earnings driver in 2026 despite headwinds, according to Jacqalene Lentz, senior director, and David Blades, associate director, both of AM Best.

  Where in the world am I? In San Diego today.   Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, coming to you from a recent trip to South Korea, now sharing my best travel ideas. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.   Listener Story Spotlight   A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me about how she spent a lot of time getting travel insurance for herself and her partner. She had to pay more than she expected as her partner was having a birthday between the day she bought the service and the day of the trip. But she said it was well worth it for her peace of mind.   Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is: Where to find the best travel insurance for a long trip abroad.   1. Start with a neutral comparison engine and you can see this in the shownotes. Why use it first? Where to click Smart filters to enable Lets you price 30-day single-trip plans from dozens of underwriters side-by-side, then click through to the policy certificate in one step. Squaremouth (toggle "Comprehensive" or "Medical-only" to see apples-to-apples pricing). Squaremouth Travel Insurance Medical ≥ $100k, Evac ≥ $250k, "Cancel for Any Reason" if you want maximum flexibility. Gives you consumer-written claim reviews plus AM Best financial ratings right in the results grid. InsureMyTrip (same data feed as Squaremouth but different sort logic). Add "Pre-existing condition waiver" if relevant; check "Adventure sports" if you'll hike or dive. Pulls quotes from some insurers that don't feed aggregators (e.g., Allianz's higher-tier plans) and lists A.M. Best scores. TravelInsurance.com Use the "24/7 assistance" toggle; you'll see which plans outsource help lines. Skeptical check: All three make a commission; none of them has every carrier. Run your trip through at least two engines and see if the so-called "cheapest" plan really is. 2. Cross-reference with an independent ranking list ●      U.S. News "Best Travel Insurance Companies 2025" ranks plans by coverage and claim-paying history—not advertising spend. It's a fast way to see which names (Travelex, Allianz, Tin Leg, etc.) consistently show up in the top tier. U.S. News 3. See what other solo women say ●      SoloTravelerWorld.com keeps an updated "Best Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers" guide that spells out what to look for if you're traveling alone—single-supplement benefits, harassment coverage, and 24-hour crisis lines. Solo Traveler ●      AbsolutelyLucy.com lays out five red flags that matter disproportionately to women (e.g., personal-assault medical limits, emergency contraception exclusions). Absolutely Lucy Read these before you fall for glossy Instagram ads that treat "female-friendly" as a slogan. 4. Kick the tires on the insurer's own site If a plan looks good in a marketplace, open the policy certificate directly on the carrier's website (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz, IMG, etc.). World Nomads publishes unfiltered claim reviews—useful for sniffing out chronic payout delays. World Nomads 5. Verify what your government will—or won't—do The U.S. State Department's Insurance Coverage Overseas page makes it crystal-clear that Uncle Sam does not pay your hospital bill or med-evac. It also links to the embassy medical resources for every country, which tells you how far the nearest trauma center is from your trekking trail. Travel.gov 6. Double-check your credit-card benefits Cards in your wallet may cover trip delay, baggage loss, or secondary car rental insurance. The Points Guy keeps a running tally of cards whose built-in coverage is worth something—and where the gaps are (e.g., no medical evacuation). How to use these resources efficiently Quote your exact dates (don't round your trip to a calendar month; excess days add cost). Filter for medical & evac first; those are the two benefits that can bankrupt you. Ignore marketing buzzwords like "explorer" or "adventure" until you've opened the PDF certificate and searched for the activity you actually plan to do. Run your final-four shortlist past recent claim reviews (Squaremouth, Trustpilot, Reddit r/solotravel) to see if the carrier ghosted people during COVID or the Israel–Gaza cancellations. Purchase directly from the insurer once you've chosen—that avoids aggregator change-fees if you need to modify dates. Stay curious, question every "Top 10" list's methodology, and you'll land the coverage that fits your risk profile—nothing more, nothing less.     60 second confidence challenge   3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance Select walkable neighborhoods with public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select. When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives at a daylight time, which can differ in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more of a challenge for you. To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don't look like a target, either.     If you like today's Confidence Challenge, Chapter 1 of my book dives deeper—link in description."   See Book A for addressing all of these items. Find it on the website: 5 steps to solo travel.com or on Amazon. It's a series.   Destination Deep‑Dive Today's destination is:       South Korea   I visited South Korea last year and am going back this month.  I landed at Seoul's Inchon Airport. My Korean pronunciation is not good, so please bear with me as I describe my trip. I was excited to see the city through my friend Chris's eyes. We were whisked away to a hotpot dinner, then taken to the French neighborhood in Seoul, where we rested overnight. The next morning, we drove south to visit a town about 2 hours away and stayed in Wolbong-ro (Road), in Seobuk-gu, near SeongJeong.   South Korea is about the same size as the US state of Virginia, or compared to the size of the country of Hungary. If you look at the size of the entire peninsula, you would say it's the same size as Minnesota or the country of Great Britain.   I was only there for four days, but during this time, I was able to see a lot of Seoul and explore some places to share with you.   For example, the Seoul Noryangin Fisheries Wholesale Market is five stories tall and open to the public. It's worth seeing if you like seafood, and you can roam the aisles looking for your favorite fish delicacies.   I visited the Vovo Bidet company and met with the director and some of his team. Have you seen the #1 Bidet firm in Korea? They have retail and wholesale offices in the Los Angeles area as well. I liked the tour of the offices here in Seoul. They even have a Bidet to go. Think about that for a minute. That was in Daebang-dong or Seocho4-dong.   I visited retail stores such as Zara, one of my favorite fashion stores. I had Chinese, Japanese, and Fusion foods. I took subways, buses, taxis, and Ubers, plus trains. I went to Gwannghumun Square, the purple Station #9.   I went to the shopping mall called The Hyundai, and found stores like Zanmang Loopy, the Hyundai Present, and a great coffee and tea shop.   I learned about Hanguel, the Korean alphabet, and saw the statue of Sejong the Great. There was also another statue of Admiral YiSun Sin. The Bukchon Honok Village is a quiet residential area. Jogyasa Temple is where you will see Buddhism. Hongdae is the neighborhood for independent artists.   Yonsei University was a place I wanted to visit next time, as I was in the neighborhood and liked it a lot. Gangnam style, well, maybe next time. I tried new foods, such as mung bean pancakes and hotteok dessert. We had a wonderful dinner at Sushi-ya Shabu-ya, about an hour from Seoul, near Korea Nazarene University in Cheonan-si-Buldang1-dong.   Recommended: Relax in a tea house.     Smart Move and Slip-up pairings We arrived in     In Korea, we were unable to enter the building because we had insufficient funds on our transit cards. Instead, we had to see the office at the kiosk and pay for the train. It was not much, but it did take a few minutes. We arrived well ahead of the recommended 3 hours, so that was not an issue.     60-second confidence challenge   Do you or don't you tip? Not in South Korea. But it's always smart to ask. Be confident when you know the expectations.   Resources Roundup   If you are looking for more solo female travel resources, you can find several tips and ways to navigate the pitfalls, such as paying the difference on the transit card when traveling long distances or knowing when to tip.   Take away mantra and goodbye.   When you get lost, don't get upset. Get found. You will be better off if you cool your brain down instead of heating it incorrectly. Chill, and you'll be found sooner. Dr. Travelbest's tip #760.   Thanks for listening.

The revision from negative to stable for the directors and officers liability insurance segment is owed to rate stabilization, low loss ratios, tighter underwriting, and reduced regulatory scrutiny, according to a new Best's Market Segment Report discussed by AM Best Elizabeth Blamble, senior financial analyst, AM Best.

A new Best's Special Report finds that the U.S. economy enters 2026 from a position of resilience, despite headwinds, said Ann Modica, director, AM Best.

AM Best and industry experts share their 2026 outlook on the Medicare Advantage business segment, including the key drivers. (Event Date: January 15, 2026)

Associate Director David Blades and Associate Analyst Alexander Winant, both of AM Best, discuss a new Best's Commentary that finds the executive order doesn't immediately resolve insurance issues for cannabis-related businesses, but the move to reclassify marijuana under federal law could be a significant step for the insurance market.

Stefan Holzberger, EVP and COO, AM Best, advises emerging leaders to determine use cases for AI and where they can leverage technology to make their work more efficient and to price risk and handle claims more effectively. Holzberger spoke with AM Best TV at the 2026 Emerging Leaders Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Join AM Best and market executives for a discussion on the evolving global reinsurance landscape and an update on AM Best's global reinsurance outlook. The panel will share perspectives on the 2026 outlook and reflect on themes emerging from the recent renewal season. The conversation will touch on broader market developments, strategic considerations and the forces shaping reinsurer performance in the year ahead.

AM Best and industry experts share their 2026 outlook on the Medicare Advantage business segment, including the key drivers. (Event Date: January 15, 2026)

Alex Hindson, partner and head of sustainability, Crowe UK, said models for transition and litigation risks don't exist, forcing reliance on scenario analysis. Hindson spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Domenico del Re, director, sustainability, PwC United Kingdom, said climate impacts will extend across food systems, health care and water scarcity. He spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Amy Barnes, head of climate and sustainability strategy and head of energy and power, Marsh, said climate risks impact traditional property lines while energy underwriters capture opportunities. Barnes spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Tim Prince and Eli Sanchez, both of AM Best, said rated insurers are rebalancing investment portfolios. They spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Greg Carter, managing director, analytics, AM Best, said higher interest rates helped insurers' investment returns and profit retention. Carter spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Kanika Thukral and Konstantin Langowski, both of AM Best, said captive criteria revisions clarify analytical language without impacting existing ratings. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Dale Kirby and Andrea Porta, both of AM Best, said a greater share of European insurers meet Solvency II standards compared with carriers in Africa and the Middle East. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Valeria Ermakova and Stan Stoev, both of AM Best, comment that research across markets and segments shows consistent failure patterns, although the risk environment remains dynamic. They spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Angela Yeo and Mahesh Mistry, AM Best, said requirements forcing reinsurance in local markets are spreading from emerging to developed economies. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Today's guest is making a highly welcome return to the show after a four-year absence. Since we last spoke the fortunes of the market have been transformed, her company has matured and floated successfully on the New York Stock Exchange and has had its Insurer Financial Strength rating upgraded to A by AM Best. All this means that CEO of Hamilton Insurance Group, Pina Albo and I had an awful lot to talk about. And our discussion doesn't disappoint. Pina is crystal clear in her vision for Hamilton and how it is planning to make the most of the many opportunities it still sees available in today's marketplace. There's a refreshing directness and lack of ambiguity in Pina's delivery that will leave you in no doubt as to what she thinks of the market issues of today, from the prospects for growth in US casualty reinsurance and the long-term trend to delegated and automated underwriting, all the way through to the best applications of AI. It's a candid chat that's also often fun. So check in for some valuable time in the company of a global insurance leader who is burnishing her credentials and making the wider market sit up and notice her achievements. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Lauren Magro, financial analyst, AM Best, said mutual insurers' premium growth is outpacing rising loss costs and driving improved loss ratios. Magro spoke with AM Best TV at the 130th annual NAMIC convention, San Diego.

Ann Modica, AM Best director of credit rating, criteria, research & analytics, unpacks the significance of the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut, key takeaways from its projections, and how shifting payroll data and tariffs may complicate policy ahead. 

At the WSIA annual conference, David Blades of AM Best discussed how newer entrants, MGAs, and acquisitions are reshaping the E&S space by diversifying the top 25 groups, … Read More » The post Shifting Dynamics in the Surplus Lines Market with AM Best’s David Blades appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Listen to this podcast episode for a recap of top catastrophe bond, insurance-linked securities and alternative reinsurance capital news, from the week-ending August 31st 2025. Listen to a recap of Artemis' most read catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) news of the last week. We hope this summary provides an easy way to listen to a recap of some of last week's top stories. This week we covered: a new CEO for Nephila Capital; Sompo acquiring Aspen Insurance Group; Enstar Group launches its first sidecar; Munich Re exec cautions on staying power of ILS capital; PartnerRe Capital Management hires Benjamin Baltesar; Aon says alternative capital hits $121bn record high; Twelve Securis appoints Paul Larrett as Head of Private ILS; AM Best on expectations for the cat bond market to continue growing and reinsurance efficiency; and Howden Re's David Flandro on the reinsurance cycle. 

Reinsurer rankings shift as Swiss Re implements IFRS 17, according to a new Best's Market Segment Report. Chris Pennings, financial analyst, AM Best, discusses the research.

Listen to this podcast episode for a recap of top catastrophe bond, insurance-linked securities and alternative reinsurance capital news, from the week-ending August 24th 2025. Listen to a recap of Artemis' most read catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) news of the last week. We hope this summary provides an easy way to listen to a recap of some of last week's top stories. This week we covered: Hannover Re launching a new Bermuda ILS platform; Swiss Re taking over from Munich Re at the top of AM Best's ranking of the world's largest reinsurers for companies that report under IFRS 17; JP Morgan saying cat bonds are not the main source of price pressure; AM Best on the soft but still profitable reinsurance market; how cat bonds are assuming more wildfire risk; VP Bank saying ILS remains one of the best diversifying asset classes; Antares CEO commenting on the property retro space; Howden Re on property cat pricing; life and annuity sidecar expansion; and more.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, reflects on the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught the insurance industry, leading to advancements in catastrophe modeling, underwriting practices and public-private partnerships.

AM Best's Lee McDonald and Sridhar Manyem discuss the company's 2026 Student Challenge, which invites college and graduate students to develop creative, real-world solutions to pressing insurance issues, including AI risk, flood coverage gaps, gig economy protection needs. Prizes and industry exposure are offered for the next generation of insurance leaders.

Listen to this podcast episode for a recap of top catastrophe bond, insurance-linked securities and alternative reinsurance capital news, from the week-ending August 17th 2025. Listen to a recap of Artemis' most read catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) news of the last week. We hope this summary provides an easy way to listen to a recap of some of last week's top stories. This week we covered: industry CEO's comments on the soft market and the state of returns in natural catastrophe reinsurance; catastrophe bond fund performance year to date; growth in capital under management at RenaissanceRe and the latest projection for ILS capital in reinsurance from AM Best and Guy Carpenter; strong continued traction in Bermuda as more new ILS structures are registered in the first-half of the year; and more.

In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler, Tisa Rabun-Marshall, and Bruno Caron speak with Jason Hopper of AM Best about the rapidly evolving annuity market. They discuss emerging product trends, the growing role of private equity and asset managers, shifts in asset portfolio strategies, and how credit risk evaluation is adapting to changing market conditions. The conversation also explores the reinsurance space, spotlighting new market entrants and the regulatory complexities shaping the future of the insurance industry. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com

Summer is here—and while kids are counting down the days until school's out, parents and grandparents might be counting something else: the cost.The good news? Some of the best family memories don't require a big budget. In fact, many of them are completely free. With a little creativity and intention, you can enjoy a summer that builds connection and joy without adding financial stress. Here are ten fun, meaningful, and no-cost activities to try this season.1. Visit Your Local LibraryLibraries today are vibrant community hubs, not just quiet places for books. Many offer summer reading programs, puppet shows, craft days, and even LEGO clubs. It's a screen-free space that fosters imagination and learning—and it won't cost a dime.2. Host a Themed Movie NightMovie nights are a classic, but turning them into themed events can make them feel extra special. Dress up like your favorite characters, make popcorn at home, and stream free movies from your library or other no-cost platforms. It's cozy, creative, and fun for all ages.3. Check Out Community EventsMany cities and towns host free concerts, movie nights, festivals, or farmers' markets during the summer. These events offer fun, fellowship, and a chance to connect with your community.4. Camp in Your BackyardYou don't need to travel far to enjoy the great outdoors. Set up a tent in your yard, roast marshmallows, and tell stories under the stars. Take time to reflect on God's handiwork with your kids. Psalm 8:3–4 reminds us how the majesty of creation points us to the Creator who cares for us deeply.5. Host a Yard SaleLet your kids gather items, make signs, and manage a mini storefront. It's not only a great way to declutter—it also teaches stewardship, contentment, and even generosity. If your kids choose to give a portion of the proceeds to someone in need, you're planting seeds of compassion early.6. Try GeocachingIf your family enjoys treasure hunts or geocaching, it's a great way to explore the outdoors. All you need is a smartphone and a free app to search for hidden “caches” in your area. It's adventurous, educational, and completely free.7. Plan a Neighborhood Game DayBring back the joy of simple play. Organize a kickball game, water balloon fight, or capture the flag in your neighborhood. Partner with other families to rotate homes and activities—it's a no-cost way to foster community and make memories that stick.8. Make a Summer Bucket ListSit down as a family and dream up a list of simple activities—things like catching fireflies, building a fort, or learning a new skill. Writing them down and checking them off together adds a sense of excitement and shared accomplishment.9. Explore NatureNature is one of God's most generous gifts. Visit local parks, walk trails, or bike together through a nearby preserve. Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Whether it's birdsong or wildflowers, creation invites us to slow down and worship.10. Serve TogetherServing others is one of the most meaningful things a family can do. Volunteer at a local shelter, visit a nursing home, or make cookies for your neighbors. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). A summer of service can have an eternal impact.The Riches of a Simple SummerIt's easy to believe that a fun summer must come with a hefty price tag, but God often surprises us with joy in the simplest things. Sunshine, laughter, love, and time together are among His most generous gifts—and they're completely free.So, as you make your summer plans, don't focus on what you can spend. Instead, focus on how you can wisely steward the time and relationships God has given you. After all, the best summer memories are built with presence, not purchases.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm looking into annuities, and I know nothing about the risks. When they say 6% for three years, is that rate guaranteed to remain locked in? I looked up the rating, and it's a B++ rating by AM Best.I have a long-term insurance policy from Genworth that started in 1999. The premiums have increased dramatically from $1,500 to $11,000 annually. We're in our early 80s and nearing the time to use the policy. The company wants us to sell, but we have a clause that stops premium payments if one of us dies. I'm unsure whether to keep the policy. I'm 60 years old and have worked at the same job for 40 years. I've become chemically sensitive to the product we manufacture and can no longer work with it. I'm basically at retirement, with all bills paid and a house paid off. I have $500,000 saved in CDs, $60,000 in the bank, and I'm thinking of putting half of the $500,000 in a lifetime mutual fund. Is that a wise decision?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Seoul, Korea episode Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me she spent much time getting travel insurance for herself and her partner. She had to pay more than she expected as her partner was having a birthday between the day she bought the service and the day of the trip. But she said it was well worth it for her peace of mind. The FAQ for today is: Where to find the best travel insurance for a long trip abroad. 1. Start with a neutral comparison engine; you can see this in the show notes. Why use it first? Where to click Smart filters to enable It lets you price 30-day single-trip plans from dozens of underwriters side-by-side, then click through to the policy certificate in one step. Squaremouth (toggle "Comprehensive" or "Medical-only" to see apples-to-apples pricing). Squaremouth Travel Insurance Medical ≥ $100k, Evac≥ $250k, "Cancel for Any Reason" if you want maximum flexibility. Gives you consumer-written claim reviews plus AM Best financial ratings in the results grid. InsureMyTrip (same data feed as Squaremouth but different sort logic). Add "PIf relevant, existing condition waiver" if rek "Adventure sports" if you'll hike or dive. Pulls quotes from some insurers that don't feed aggregators (e.g., Allianz's higher-tier plans) and lists A.M. Best scores. TravelInsurance.com Use the "24/7 assistance" toggle to see which plans outsource helplines. Skeptical check: All three make a commission, and none of them has every carrier. Run your trip through at least two engines and see if the so-called "cheapest" plan is available.     2. Cross-reference with an independent ranking list U.S. News "Best Travel Insurance Companies 2025" ranks plans by coverage and claim-paying history—not advertising spend. It's a fast way to see which names (Travelex, Allianz, Tin Leg, etc.) consistently show up in the top tier. U.S. News     3. See what other solo women say SoloTravelerWorld.com keeps an updated "Best Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers" guide that spells out what to look for if you're traveling alone—single-supplement benefits, harassment coverage, and 24-hour crisis lines. Solo Traveler AbsolutelyLucy.com lays out five red flags that matter disproportionately to women (e.g., personal-assault medical limits, emergency contraception exclusions). Absolutely Lucy Read these before you fall for glossy Instagram ads that treat "female-friendly" as a slogan.     4. Kick the tires on the insurer's site If a plan looks good in a marketplace, open the policy certificate directly on the carrier's website (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz, IMG, etc.). World Nomads publishes unfiltered claim reviews, which help sniff out chronic payout delays. World Nomads     5. Verify what your government will—or won't—do The U.S. State Department's Insurance Coverage Overseas page makes it crystal-clear that Uncle Sam does not pay your hospital bill or med-evac. It also links to the embassy medical resources for every country, which tells you how far the nearest trauma center is from your trekking trail. Travel.gov     6. Double-check your credit-card benefits Cards in your wallet may cover trip delays, baggage loss, or secondary car rental insurance. The Points Guy keeps a running tally of cards whose built-in coverage is worth something and where the gaps are (e.g., no medical evacuation).     How to use these resources efficiently Quote your exact dates (don't round your trip to a calendar month; excess days add cost). Filter for medical & Evac first; those two benefits can bankrupt you. Ignore marketing buzzwords like "explorer" or "adventure" until you've opened the PDF certificate and searched for the activity you plan to do. Run your final four shortlist past recent claim reviews (Squaremouth, Trustpilot, Reddit r/solotravel) to see if the carrier ghosted people during COVID or the Israel–Gaza cancellations. You can purchase directly from the insurer once you've chosen, which avoids aggregator change fees if you need to modify dates. Stay curious, question every "Top 10" list's methodology, and you'll land the coverage that fits your risk profile—nothing more, nothing less. 60-second confidence challenge 3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance Select walkable neighborhoods with public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select. When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives at daylight, which can differ in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more challenging.  To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don't look like a target, either.   If you like today's Confidence Challenge, Chapter 1 of my book dives deeper—https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com   See Book A for addressing all of these items. Find it on the website or Amazon. It's a series. Today's destination is:  South Korea  I visited South Korea last month. I landed at Seoul's Inchon Airport. My Korean pronunciation is not good, so please understand that as I describe my trip. I was excited to see the city through the eyes of my friend Chris. We were whisked away to a hotpot dinner, then taken to the French neighborhood in Seoul, where we rested for the night. The next morning, we drove south to visit a town about 2 hours away and stayed in Wolbong-ro (Road), in Seobuk-gu, near SeongJeong.   For example, the Seoul Noryyanglin Fisheries Wholesale Market is five stories tall and open to the public. It's worth seeing if you like seafood, and you can roam the aisles looking for your favorite fish delicacies.   I visited the Vovo Bidet company and met with the director and some of his team. Have you seen the #1 Bidet firm in Korea? They have retail and wholesale offices in the Los Angeles area, too. I liked the tour of the offices here in Seoul. They even have a Bidet to go. Think about that for a minute. That was in Daebang-dong or Seocho4-dong. I visited retail stores such as Zara, one of my favorites for fashion. I had Chinese, Japanese, and Fusion foods. I took subways, busses, taxis, and Ubers plus trains. I went to Gwannghumun Square, the purple Station #9. I went to the shopping mall called The Hyundai. and found stores like Zanmang Loopy, the Hyundai Present, and a great coffee and tea shop. I learned about Hanguel, the Korean alphabet, and saw the statue of Sejong the Great. There was also another statue of Admiral YiSun Sin. The Bukchon Honok Village is a quiet residential area. Jogyasa Temple is where you will see Buddism. Hongdae is the neighborhood for independent artists.   Yonsei University was a place I wanted to visit next time, as I was in the neighborhood and liked it a lot. Gangnam style, well, maybe next time. I tried new foods, such as mung bean pancakes and hotleok desserts. We had a wonderful dinner at Sushi-ya Shabu-ya, about an hour from Seoul, near Korea Nazarene University in Cheonan-si-Buldang1-dong. Recommended: Relax in a tea house. Smart Move and Slip up pairings In Korea, we were departing from the airport without enough money on our transit cards, so we could not enter the building. Instead, we had to see the office at the kiosk and pay for the train. It was not much, but it did take a few minutes. We arrived well ahead of the recommended 3 hours, so that was not an issue. 60 second confidence challenge Do you or don't you tip? Not in South Korea. But it's always smart to ask. Be confident when you know what the expectations are.   Resources Roundup   If you are looking for more solo female travel resources, you can find several tips and ways to navigate the pitfalls, such as paying the difference on the transit card when you go long distances or knowing when to tip.   When you get lost, don't get upset. Get found. You will be better off if you cool down instead of heating your brain incorrectly. Chill, and you'll be found sooner. Dr. Travelbest's tip #760.    

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Ken Johnson, CFA, CAIA, FRM, Senior Managing Director and Chief Ratings Officer at AM Best. Together, they unpack AM Best's latest outlooks on the property & casualty and life insurance sectors—covering everything from macroeconomic uncertainty to the rise of private credit, offshore reinsurance, and how ratings methodology is adapting to today's dynamic insurance investment landscape.   Ken shares his take on the growing role of asset manager-owned insurers, the shift toward more complex ownership structures, and the increased reliance on less transparent asset classes. He also discusses AM Best's internal working groups and how they aim to strike a balance between robust capital modeling and fair treatment for insurers with evolving portfolio strategies. Whether you're a CIO, portfolio manager, or regulator, this discussion sheds light on how risk, regulation, and ratings intersect in today's market.